Daniel Munoz is among the coffee farmers who are redefining the way coffee is grown and processed in Colombia.

His farm, located in San Agustín, Colombia, covers five hectares, with 3.5 hectares dedicated to Pink Bourbon and one hectare dedicated to Geisha. Munoz began growing coffee approximately 12 years ago, and despite his relatively short time in the industry, he has made significant changes to his farming practices by initiating a transition to biodynamic agriculture.

Biodynamic agriculture emphasizes the connection between a farm and nature, considering the agricultural system as an integral living organism. Munoz believes that this approach is a more respectful way to cultivate coffee.

Biodynamic farming aims to create harmonious and sustainable systems, seeking to improve soil fertility, crop quality, and the overall health of farm ecosystems.

One of the major changes Daniel has made is the removal of all 23,000 coffee trees (Caturro and Cogolli Rojo) he previously had, replacing them with 17,000 trees that are planted further apart. This change was made in order to integrate native and fruiting trees on the farm, some of which were specifically planted for their ability to rapidly generate biomass, which is then spread around and over the plants to enrich and protect the soil.

This approach also optimizes plant health by enabling coffee trees to spread their branches and receive more sunlight. Tree density on a coffee farm can impact performance, with lower density plantings generally leading to higher yields for most Arabica coffee cultivars.

Enhancing soil structure to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

Daniel utilizes composting and organic matter collected on the farm to produce his own natural fertilizer, which he uses as a source of nutrients. This has proven to be beneficial for his farm as It not only enhances soil structure but also boosts soil biodiversity, leading to a substantial reduction in the need for synthetic fertilizers. Munoz is enriching the soil and managing its nutrition in a way that will naturally improve long-term results.

However, this transition must be gradual, as a complete overnight switch to natural and organic fertilizers would result in a significant reduction in yields, making it economically unfeasible for him to sustain his operations.

This shift towards natural fertilizers not only promotes a healthier soil ecosystem but also contributes to the overall sustainability of his farm.

Buzzing on Caffeine

Although Coffee plants are self-pollinating as their flowers are hermaphrodites , Daniel has an entire section of his farm dedicated to beehives.

While gathering nectar from neighboring trees, bees inadvertently collect pollen, which recent research indicates can enhance pollination success and promote fruit development within coffee flowers. Bee visits also help in synchronizing the ripening of fruits, thereby enhancing the overall quality of the harvest.

In addition to their direct impact on coffee production, bees play a crucial role in the farm ecosystem by facilitating the transfer of various microorganisms. They contribute to the harmonious functioning of an ecosystem where different species coexist, both competing and mutually benefiting from one another.

“Our family's purpose is to produce coffee in a way that goes beyond conventional methods. ”

Daniel envisions a future for coffee cultivation in San Agustín and beyond that prioritizes nature, promotes social advancement, encourages knowledge sharing, while embracing generational change through new farming approaches.

Through his dedication, Daniel paves the way for a new generation of coffee farmers to learn from one another and effect positive change in their community.

With global warming, rising temperatures, and irregular rainfall significantly disrupting the delicate balance required for successful coffee cultivation, a transition to holistic and regenerative coffee cultivation methods will be necessary to sustainably mitigate some of these challenges.